Eric Warp reported to me as Creative Director at Play Incorporated where I was Vice President of Marketing. Eric joined our self-funded startup shortly after we left the garage phase and guided design through building the company to hundreds of employees and a valuation of $650 million. During this time Eric’s job duties included creating the visual identity for the company, branding for nearly a dozen products and various product packaging, interfaces, documentation, promotional videos, websites, city-block sized trade show exhibits, national television commercials and collaborating with product teams on the industrial design of hardware products. Eric’s design vision impacted every facet of the company from brand to product and even the interior design of our building which was so remarkably original it was featured in magazines and television newscasts. Eric is the rare designer who can work across media while translating tough requirements into compelling design that exceeds all expectations.
I quickly came to rely on Eric’s experience and skill not only for visual design but across our marketing output. Eric was able to lead challenging projects on tight deadlines with diverse internal clients, from marketing and PR to product management and manufacturing. No matter how difficult the client, I could rely on Eric to ensure the results met our stringent standards for stellar design. As our design team grew, Eric was also an influential mentor to younger designers. It’s the mark of a great designer when he makes talented designers around him even better. Eric exemplifies what I expect from a world-class designer. Unprecedented creativity, boldness, collaboration and attention to detail.
After leaving Play, I’ve continued to bring Eric into various special projects at my subsequent startup, here at Adobe and in my work as a strategic advisor to silicon valley companies. He continues to deliver top notch, visionary work without fail. After over twenty years in this industry, there are less than a dozen people to whom I would give an unreserved professional recommendation. Eric is at the top of that short list. If you would like to discuss further please feel free to contact me at mrandall@adobe.com.
Mark Randall, Chief Strategist, VP Creativity, Adobe Systems, san jose, ca
Eric Warp is a truly inspired and energetic leader and designer, who brings a unique perspective to every job. He’s imaginative and inventive, full of clever ideas, and guaranteed to add a spark of originality to any project. He’ll definitely liven up your campaign or creative team. I’d love to work with him again…I hope we have the chance someday!
John Squatritto , Design Director & Manager, Audience Engagement, KABC-TV | Disney ABC Television Group, Los Angeles